Carrying out electrical work

An electrical risk is a risk to a person of death, shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity.

The main hazards associated with these risks are:

contact with exposed live parts causing electric shock and burns (for example exposed leads or other electrical equipment coming into contact with metal surfaces such as metal flooring or roofs)
the use of outdated, poorly maintained equipment or unsafe use of equipment
faults which could cause fires
fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere.

Electrocution incidents can be fatal. Non-fatal shocks can result in serious and permanent burn injuries to skin, internal tissues and damage to the heart. Other injuries or illnesses may include muscle spasms, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, collapse and unconsciousness. Electric shocks may also contribute to related incidents including falls from ladders, scaffolding or other elevated work platforms.

Those working with electricity may not be the only ones at risk. Poor electrical installation and faulty electrical appliances can lead to electric shock to others at or near the workplace.

The risk of injury from electricity is strongly linked to where and how it is used. The risk of injury is greatest in harsh conditions such as:

outdoors or in wet surroundings - equipment may become wet and may be at greater risk of damage
in cramped spaces with earthed metalwork, such as inside a tank or bin - it may be difficult to avoid electrical shock if an electrical fault develops.

Some items of equipment also involve greater risk of electrical injury than others. Portable electrical equipment is particularly liable to damage. Plugs, sockets, connections and cables on portable electrical equipment and extension leads connected to frequently moved equipment are all particularly susceptible to damage and therefore may pose a greater electrical risk.

Duty to manage risks

A person conducting a business or undertaking must manage electrical risks at the workplace. If elimination is not reasonably practicable, the risks must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. Any person conducting a business or undertaking with management or control over electrical equipment (including an electrical installation) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the equipment is safe to use. This duty applies regardless of whether the person conducting a business or undertaking owns or supplied the electrical equipment.

Reducing the risk

Inspecting and testing electrical equipment will help determine whether it is electrically safe. Regular visual inspection can identify obvious damage, wear or other conditions which might make electrical equipment unsafe. Many electrical defects such as damaged cords are detectable by visual inspection.

Regular testing can detect electrical faults and deterioration that cannot be detected by visual inspection. The nature and frequency of inspection and testing depends on factors such as the nature of the electrical equipment, how it is used and its operating environment.

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 prescribes mandatory testing and tagging for electrical power equipment used in 'a hostile operating environment'. This term is used to describe an environment in which the normal use of electrical equipment exposes it to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage or a reduction in its expected life span. This includes conditions that involve exposing the electrical equipment to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust such as in outdoor workplaces, commercial kitchens and workshops.

Electrical equipment that is connected by a plug and socket used in a hostile operating environment must be regularly inspected and tested by a competent person. If this equipment has not been regularly tested then it must not be used until it is tested.

Brand new equipment that is 'out of the box' does not need to be tested before being put into service unless there are reasonable grounds to believe it is electrically unsafe.

As a general rule, electrical equipment used in a hostile operating environment should be inspected and tested at least once every 12 months. More frequent testing will be required where plug in equipment is exposed to increased risk of mechanical damage or electrical deterioration such as when it is used in the manufacturing or hire environment. Also as a general rule, electrical equipment connected by a plug and socket that is used on construction and demolition sites should be inspected and tested at least once every three months. More frequent testing may be required as indicated by a site-specific risk assessment.

In addition to regular inspection and testing, plug in equipment should also be tested:

after a repair or servicing that could affect the electrical safety of the equipment in essence undertaken by the person carrying out the repair or servicing before return to use
before first use if bought second-hand
if there is no record of it being tested previously.

A record of testing of electrical equipment used in a hostile environment must be kept until the electrical equipment is next tested, permanently removed from the workplace or disposed of.

Common measures to control electrical risks at a workplace include:

safe and suitable electrical equipment is used
only appropriately licensed or registered electricians carry out electrical work
procedures for pre checks, testing, tagging and preventative maintenance of electrical equipment, residual current devices and personal protective equipment are in place and used
inspection, testing and maintenance is undertaken by a suitably trained and competent person
procedures for tag out, isolation, labelling and reporting of faulty equipment are in place and used
procedures for the reinstatement of items tested as being safe are in place and used
sufficient socket outlets are provided-overloading socket outlets by using adaptors can cause fires
first aid equipment and facilities are available
correct fire extinguishers are available and operators know how to use them
procedures for reporting and responding to electrical accidents are in place and used
work is planned and discussed
all bracelets, rings, neck chains, exposed metal zips and watches are removed
work is not carried out on energised equipment or cables whenever possible
procedures to prevent inadvertent re-energising while work is being undertaken are in place and used
not increasing the fuse rating if the circuit keeps overloading as this creates a fire risk due to overheating
using tools, instruments, equipment and personal protective equipment suitable for the purpose and conditions (insulated ladders and non-conducting tape measures)
regularly checking and cleaning tools
using battery powered tools instead of mains operated where possible
using lead stands, insulated cable hangers, cable protection ramps etc to protect cables and keep them off the ground
keeping the workplace clean and orderly
using residual current devices to protect workers using portable equipment as required by the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
determining the reason why an residual current devices, circuit breaker or other over current protective device disconnected the electricity before it is switched back on
ensuring unsafe equipment is not reconnected until it is repaired and tested as being safe
erecting safety barriers when required
meeting electrical safety standards.

On completion of electrical work, workers should:

check that no tools are left on or in the job
remove their own earthing equipment
check that the work is complete and the equipment can be energised
notify all personnel involved that the equipment will be energised
remove 'DANGER - DO NOT OPERATE' tags
energise power supply
remove and store all safety barriers.

Unsafe electrical equipment

A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that any unsafe electrical equipment within their management or control is disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply and once disconnected is not reconnected until it is repaired or tested and found to be safe or is replaced or permanently removed from use.

Isolation, tagging and lock out procedures are all designed to protect people and property in a workplace from hazards related to electrical power, damaged equipment or machinery or when repairs, maintenance or inspections are carried out.

Yellow and black 'OUT OF SERVICE' tags are used to warn people that machinery, appliances or equipment is damaged, unsafe or out of service for repairs. While an 'OUT OF SERVICE' tag is attached the machinery, appliance or equipment must not be operated.

To attach an 'OUT OF SERVICE' tag a worker must:

be authorised to fix and remove them
write their name and the fault on the tag
place the tag in a prominent position
place tags at common isolation points
leave tags on until the machinery or equipment is repaired and is safe to use.

Before any repair or alteration work is started the electrical circuits or equipment to be worked on must be disconnected from the electricity supply, unless other adequate precautions are taken to prevent electric shock.

Personal 'DANGER' tags are colour-coded red, black and white, and are used to warn all persons that the equipment or machinery is being repaired or serviced. A circuit must not be energised while a 'DANGER' tag is attached.

'DANGER' tags must be placed at common isolation points, signed and dated and removed when the work is complete.

Lock out is the best way of preventing machinery or electrical current becoming operational during maintenance. A lock is attached to the machine switch so that it cannot be turned on.

The worker working with the machine should hold the only key to the lock. A lock must only be removed from equipment or machinery by the person who attached it. Procedures must be put in place for the removal of the lock in case this person is not available, for example if there has been a change of shift workers.